Stories about Arts & Culture from December, 2011
Cuba: The “Chupi Chupi” Scandal
“A disproportionate scandal has been unleashed these past few days around a vulgar Cuban video clip officially demonized and quasi-banned by the Culture Minister himself”: Without Evasion blogs about the furor surrounding the reggaeton hit Chupi Chupi.
South Korea's Top 10 Discussed Topics in Facebook
In Wiki Tree site, a net user posted Facebook's top 10 most-discussed topics [ko] in South Korea for 2011. Dogani, a movie that revealed sexual assaults on disabled kids made the top 2, and the nation's most popular satirical podcast, Naggomsu ranked No. 6.
North Korean Restaurant in Cambodia
The Travel Fish blog introduced North Korean restaurants in Phnom Penh that offer a glimpse into the hermit kingdom's cuisine and music. Most of North Korean oversees restaurants were set up to acquire foreign currency for the regime.
Pakistan: Veena Malik's Latest Controversy Causes Social Media Uproar
The queen of controversy, Pakistani actress Veena Malik, stirred up a new commotion when male lifestyle magazine FHM India published her nude picture on the cover page. The image has caused a social media uproar amongst conservatives in Pakistan.
Cuba: Reggaeton Hit ‘Chupi Chupi’ Denounced by Authorities
Over the past two weeks, reggaeton artist Osmani “La Voz” García’s popular hit 'Chupi Chupi' has begun stirring more than just the hips of partygoers on Havana’s Malecón. Cuban Minister of Culture Abel Prieto, and Cuban Institute of Music President Orlando Vistel, have publicly denounced the song and the video.
Nigeria: Portraits of Kalakuta Queens
Vanessa shares James Petrozzello‘s portraits paying tribute to Fela Kuti's queens: “The first time I saw his ‘queens’ I was struck by their radical style. I wanted to make these photos to pay homage to their beauty and to bring attention to the women who contributed so much to Fela’s...
China: Chengdu Artist Luo Fahui
Tabitha from Chengdu Living introduces a Chengdu based artist, Luo Fahui and his artworks to the readers.
Honduras: Culture under the Ministry of Culture, Art, and Sports
Honduras Culture and Politics asks, “So what is ‘Culture’ in Honduras these days?” in a post that reviews the activities of the Ministry of Culture, Art, and Sports.
Ashura Commemorations Around the World
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of mourning for Shia Muslims. Events reach a climax on Ashura, the tenth day of the month. Ayesha Saldanha reports on Ashura commemorations around the world.
Lusophone Heritage of “Portugality” Around the World
A Facebook group and a mapping website called “Portugality” have been created to explore the cultures that result from the “global cultural fusion started by Portuguese navigations of the XVth. century and lasting to this day in places like Brazil, Mozambique, East Timor or Malacca”.
Japan: Néojaponisme on Marginal Subcultures
Néojaponisme has finished posting five installments for a series on “how marginal subcultures took over a Japanese pop culture with no central core nor leading-edge“, providing a review of the ecosystem for the consumption and production of mainstream and subcultures.
Azerbaijan: Dos and Don'ts of local customs
Making Wool from Eggs, a Peace Corps Volunteer blog, puts together a list of random and funny local customs, noting which are approved or disapproved of in the provincial towns and villages of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan: Toy… Tying the Knot the Azeri Way
Toy is the Azerbaijani word for a wedding, one of the most important events for families everywhere. However, in Azerbaijan such importance is placed on marriage that it takes months of planning.
Africa: Online Space for African Languages and Poetry
Maneno Matamu is a platform for African poets/writers to showcase their work in the rich and beautiful languages this continent is blessed with. It is a collective breath expressing our linguistic peculiarities, discoveries and oddities.
Sao Tome and Principe: Photographic View of the Country
The blog Viagem a São Tomé e Príncipe (Trip do Sao Tome and Principe) has made available a rich archive of photography that illustrates a range of aspects from the country, as for instance unique fruits and flowers, colorful markets and churches, street art and other artistic and cultural demonstrations.
